How to Draw Clouds

Clouds are visible mass of water that look like a collection of white smoke floating in the sky. This is a tutorial on how to draw a cartoon cloud and a realistic cloud. Check them out!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cartoon Cloud

  1. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 1
    1
    Start an elongated oval for the outline sketch.
  2. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 2
    2
    Draw line arches on the oval outline sketch.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 3
    3
    Erase the outline sketches.
  4. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 4
    4
    Color the draft. You can fill in a light gray color to put the shade of the cloud.
  5. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 5
    5
    Color the background with blue.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Realistic Clouds

  1. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 6
    1
    Get any blue colored paper. You can use this technique in drawing a realistic cloud.
  2. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 7
    2
    Take one of your oil pastels for the shade of the cloud. Choose light gray for the shade of the clouds. The shades of the clouds are usually located at the bottom part of the clouds. However, shades always depend on where the light source is coming from.
  3. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 8
    3
    Add white. Using white oil pastels make circular strokes of the medium to the colored paper.
  4. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 9
    4
    Smudge the colors. Use your thumb or index finger in smudging the colors. Carefully wipe the colors with your finger, according to the shape of the cloud, to show the smudge effect.
  5. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 10
    5
    Put on the white oil pastel strokes. Repeat the same circular strokes that you have done earlier. Only this time do not put too much pressure on the pastel strokes. Do it enough to show the actual shape of the clouds.
  6. Image titled Draw Clouds Step 11
    6
    Add the shade. Add light and few strokes of lavender on the bottom areas to show the shade of the clouds.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How can I not use my finger, but have the same effect?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There are erasers that either don't erase well or are specifically designed for smudging. They will produce similar results to smudging with a finger. Smudging erasers are found in art shops.
  • Question
    What color do I need to use for the cloud to be more realistic?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use different shades of grey and white to make your cloud more realistic.
  • Question
    How do I draw realistically with a pencil?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Shade very lightly, and constantly erase and redo.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Have your clouds be a color the sky could logically turn, not neon green or something like that. (Unless alien sky is what you're aiming for, in which case carry on.)
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  •  Do not add too many curvy lines.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Draw the Map of India
How to
Draw the Map of India
Draw a Beach Scene
How to
Draw a Beach Scene
How to
Draw a House
Draw a Map
How to
Draw a Map
Draw a Spider Web
How to
Draw a Spider Web
Draw the Eiffel Tower
How to
Draw the Eiffel Tower
Draw Flames
How to
Draw Flames
Make a Map
How to
Make a Map
Draw a Church
How to
Draw a Church
How to Draw a Medieval Castle for Beginners
Draw a Waterfall
How to
Draw a Waterfall
Draw Buildings
How to
Draw Buildings
Draw a Barn Using Freehand Perspective
How to
Draw a Barn Using Freehand Perspective
Draw Rain Drops
How to
Draw Rain Drops
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 41 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 314,535 times.
184 votes - 62%
Co-authors: 41
Updated: June 29, 2021
Views: 314,535
Categories: Drawing Geography and Nature
Article SummaryX

To draw basic clouds, start by lightly sketching an elongated oval on a piece of paper, which will be the outline of your first cloud. Next, draw darker, arched lines along the outline sketch, all the way around the oval, to create a fluffy, cartoon-like cloud. Then, erase the sketched outline, color the cloud light gray or white, and make the background blue to represent the sky! For tips on drawing more realistic clouds, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement